Plant Suggestions?

stevegoods · 06-27-2009, 04:38 PM

I would like to add a couple of small plants to the two front corners of the tank, but nothing overdone since I am not a master plant person.

Can anyone recommend something to put there? And if you have any additional comments about the tank setup itself, please let me know.

25G Tank holds:

4 Neon Tetras
1 Honey Gourami
3 Fancy Mollies
1 Red Platy
1 Siamese Algae Eater
1 Pleco (He loves to eat the Swords)
1 Clown Loach

Many thanks!

Jay · 06-28-2009, 02:30 PM

You might want to try some Cryptocoryne, v. wendtii, either bronze or red. They will give you some nice contrast.

Quote:

1 Pleco (He loves to eat the Swords)

Another good pleco gone over to the dark side...

And welcome to the forum

Jay

stevegoods · 06-29-2009, 10:45 PM

Thanks Jay!

Actually my pleco "Bob" just recently died. (I got a new one, a little guy) Bob was about 1.5 years old and I really liked him. Not sure what happened with him since he was very healthy. His belly inflated, which I assume is some type of parasitic attack. He wasn't eating, only hanging on the wall. Eventually he just gave in.

It's those mysteries that make this hobby very frustrating.

branfrog · 07-14-2009, 04:14 PM

For some easy ground cover, you can weigh down some Java moss which should grow and spread pretty easily.

I noticed your heater is completely submerged!!!

I have a jager heater as well, and the top of the heater should not be underwater, the moving parts at temperature control is not completely water proof. There is a line at the top of the heater that indicates where the water line should be! EEEK!

stevegoods · 07-24-2009, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by branfrog

For some easy ground cover, you can weigh down some Java moss which should grow and spread pretty easily.

I noticed your heater is completely submerged!!!

I have a jager heater as well, and the top of the heater should not be underwater, the moving parts at temperature control is not completely water proof. There is a line at the top of the heater that indicates where the water line should be! EEEK!

I had it at the appropriate level but then I kept seeing these same heaters completely submerged at my fish store, and the guy said they are fine underwater. Hmm, should I pull it back out?

branfrog · 07-24-2009, 11:43 AM

Yeah, I would move the top out of the water. Even if there is just a small chance that water would leak into the heater, it is a pretty high risk to take for no gain. Along the black section at the top of the heater, there is text that indicates where the water level should be. Sometimes manufacturers put frivolous statements on their products to cover themselves for liability issues, but in this case I believe it is important: electricity and water don't mix.

This text even appears on the Jager "TS" series that is supposed to be fully waterproof.

stevegoods · 07-25-2009, 10:01 AM

Yes, I had the heater at the water line for ages. I guess I'll put it back. I'm off now to return my precious siamese algae eater. As much as I love that guy (had him more than 1 year) he is getting kind of big and he has gotten super aggressive and stress out 3 gouramis to the point of death. The only fish now that he doesn't mess with is "Bozo" my clown loach, because he's bigger!

louistheloach · 07-25-2009, 10:01 PM

Maybe your SAE was picking on the others because he was a single. I have four and they never bother anyone - except at feeding time when they stand their ground for food, but otherwise they are very well behaved fish, at times even almost timid.

You'll have to pick up a few oto's...they do a similar job eating soft algae but won't touch hair algae....still great to have in a tank.

ltl

stevegoods · 07-26-2009, 10:27 AM

Yes, he was fairly tame in the beginning. Maybe it was because he was a single; I am not sure. But he became very territorial. He didn't mess with all of the fish, but he had a thing about the gouramis for some reason.

I returned him. I got 6 ottos and 3 new Gouramis. They all seem to be getting along now. We'll see how it goes.

I am falling in love with my clown loach. He is so beautiful and healthy and his colors are amazing. Plus he has a great personality. I fear the day I have to return him because he will be too big for my 25G. Do I return him or upgrade to a 100G?? Well, I think the wife is going to opt for the former. We'll see.

louistheloach · 07-26-2009, 02:12 PM

So, how many gouramis do you have all together and are they all different? The reason I ask is that male gouramis of the same variety are very territorial and will at times fight to the death. If I remember right, they are in the same family as the Bettas. I am not sure how aggressive they are to other species, but it bears a close eye.

Three of the SAE's I have had for over a year, one seems to have reached adulthood, judging by his/her size. The fourth one was full grown when I got it, but I have had it for close to a year, all very docile......

You will enjoy the oto's.....

ltl